Football Season Guide

Last season, Chamois Niortais avoided relegation at the very last gasp, thanks to a late goal scored in the return game of the playouts against Villefranche Beaujolais. Despite that, coach Desabre, who had been welcomed by some skepticism at his arrival due to his lack of experience in the French football, as he had mostly coached abroad, mainly in Africa, was confirmed at the helm also for the new season. Living on a tight budget, Chamois Niortais must do their transfer campaign on a shoestring, relying mainly on players coming from their youth system. Thus, as the past season was seen as an opportunity for giving Ligue 2 playing time to most of their squad players, they should have a more experienced squad in the new campaign. Chamois Niortais held one of the poorest attacks in the past campaign, as they scored 34 goals only, and this is certainly one of the departments they needed to strengthen: so far, they only signed Merdji, whose recent campaigns have been far from impressive, while they will also expect Ba to repeat himself, he scored 14 goals at his first Ligue 2 experience, and could have back Sissoko, who had done so well in 2019/2020 but missed all 2020/2021 out. 21-year-old Benchama, their only other relevant signing this far, was hired to strengthen the midfield but he should not represent a candidate for the XI yet. Creative winger Jacob is the main player to have departed and, having not been replaced properly yet, his input and dangerousness might be missed on the right. Chamois also trimmed an otherwise bloated squad by letting go players like Konate, Bourhane or Koyalipou, who were only seldom given a chance to shine.